The lavish ballroom sparkled with golden chandeliers, the sound of music and laughter filling the air. It was a night meant for celebration, yet you stood at the edge of the room, feeling the weight of a life you hadn’t chosen. The world knew you as a famous actress and singer, adored by millions. But tonight, you were someone else—a bride bound by an arrangement that felt more like a trap than a promise.
Across the room, your husband, Sylus, stood amidst a crowd of powerful men in tailored suits. He was a man of power, a feared mafia boss who ruled the underworld with a calm, collected demeanor that unnerved you. He looked every part the man people whispered about: sharp, dangerous, and untouchable. But tonight, he wasn’t the ruthless king of crime. He was your husband.
The arrangement had been made without your consent, a merger of power and influence between two families. You had been forced into this, and despite all the charm Sylus had shown, you couldn’t shake the resentment that had grown in your heart.
You glanced over at him, catching his gaze. His eyes softened as they landed on you, and for a moment, the distance between you two didn’t seem so far. But the moment passed, and you quickly turned away, feeling the familiar wave of annoyance rise in your chest.
Sylus excused himself from the crowd and made his way toward you. As he approached, you could feel the heat of his presence, the way he commanded attention without trying.
“Are you all right?” he asked softly, his deep voice cutting through the noise of the room.
You glanced up at him, your expression cool and guarded. “I’m fine.”
He looked at you, his dark eyes searching your face for any sign of the warmth he hoped to find. But there was none. You had been cold to him since the day of your marriage, a wall of ice between you that no amount of kindness seemed to melt.
“I know this isn’t easy for you,” Sylus said, his voice calm and steady, as though he were trying to be patient. “But we’re in this together. I’m not your enemy.”
You huffed, rolling your eyes. “You say that like I had a choice.”
He exhaled, clearly trying to stay composed. “I didn’t choose this either, but I’m trying. Can you at least give it a chance?”
You looked away, your heart heavy with frustration. “I don’t need you to try, Sylus. I just need you to stay out of my way.”
The words hung between you like a sharp blade, and for a moment, you wondered if you had gone too far. But Sylus, ever composed, merely nodded, his expression softening with a hint of sadness.
“If that’s what you want,” he said quietly. “But know that I’m here. For you. No matter how much you push me away.”
His words caught you off guard, and for a moment, you were at a loss for how to respond. Sylus had been nothing but kind to you since the beginning, despite your coldness. He never raised his voice, never lashed out in anger. Instead, he was patient, calm—almost too calm for someone with his reputation.
You crossed your arms, trying to maintain your icy demeanor. “I don’t need anything from you.”
Sylus didn’t flinch at your words. Instead, he took a step closer, his presence warm and steady. “I think you do. But I’ll wait until you realize that.”
You didn’t know what to say to that, so you remained silent. Sylus nodded again, then turned and walked away, leaving you standing there with your thoughts swirling.
---
Later that night, you retreated to your private quarters in the mansion you now shared with Sylus. The room was grand, like everything in this life, but it felt foreign to you, just as this marriage did. You kicked off your heels, exhaustion from the evening settling in.
A soft knock on the door broke your thoughts. Before you could answer, Sylus entered, holding a tray with two cups of tea. You groaned inwardly. “What now, Sylus?”
He didn’t reply right away. Instead, he set the tray down on the small table by the window and poured a cup of tea for you. “I thought you might want something to help you relax after tonight.”
You stared at him, unimpressed. “I’m fine.”
“I know,” he said, his voice patient. “But it’s been a long night, and I thought you might appreciate the gesture.”
You exhaled sharply, annoyed by how composed he always was. No matter how hard you tried to push him away, he never reacted the way you expected. Instead of fighting back, he remained calm, warm—even when you threw coldness at him.
“Why are you doing this?” you asked, crossing your arms. “I’ve made it clear I don’t want this marriage. Why are you pretending like you care?”
Sylus paused, his dark eyes meeting yours with an intensity that made your heart skip. “Because I do care. This marriage may have been arranged, but my feelings for you are real.”
You blinked, caught off guard by his honesty. “Your feelings?”
He nodded. “Yes. I care about you, more than you know. And I want this marriage to work, but I can’t do that alone. You don’t have to love me right away, but I’m asking you to at least give me a chance.”
The sincerity in his voice made your defenses waver, but you quickly reinforced them. You couldn’t allow yourself to soften just because he was being nice. This wasn’t a fairy tale, and you weren’t about to fall for the mafia king who had been forced into your life.
“I didn’t ask for this,” you said quietly, your voice laced with bitterness.
“I know,” Sylus replied, his tone gentle. “But we’re here now, and we can either make the best of it, or we can let it destroy us.”
You bit your lip, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Why aren’t you angry? Why aren’t you upset that I keep pushing you away?”
Sylus stepped closer, his gaze never leaving yours. “Because I see through the walls you’ve built. I know you’re scared, and I know this wasn’t what you wanted. But I also see the strength in you, and I see the woman I’m falling in love with, even if she won’t let me in.”
His words struck something deep inside you, and for the first time, you felt your resolve begin to crack. But instead of letting him see it, you turned away, refusing to meet his gaze.
“Goodnight, Sylus,” you said, your voice cold and distant.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Goodnight, love.”
As he left the room, closing the door softly behind him, you let out a long breath, the weight of his words sinking in. You didn’t want to admit it, but there was a part of you that was beginning to see him differently.
Maybe, just maybe, this marriage wasn’t as doomed as you thought.
---
To be continued…
